4️⃣ SOPS® Beyond Scores: Set the Example

How leadership sets the example for patient safety culture 

Building a strong patient safety culture starts at the top. When hospital leadership actively supports the Surveys on Patient Safety Culture™ (SOPS®), it encourages staff participation and reinforces a commitment to continuous improvement. Without leadership buy-in, staff may see patient safety surveys as a low priority, leading to disengagement and missed opportunities for meaningful change. 

Watch the fourth video from our six-part patient safety culture series

The critical role of leadership in SOPS® participation  

Successful SOPS® survey participation depends on visible leadership endorsement. When executives and senior management express enthusiasm for patient safety culture surveys, that energy spreads throughout the organization. Staff members are more likely to engage when they see leadership prioritizing feedback collection and demonstrating a commitment to safety. 

However, if leadership does not actively promote SOPS® survey participation, staff may question the survey’s purpose or hesitate to share honest feedback. Without leadership support, participation rates decline and valuable insights are lost. 

Building a year-round commitment to patient safety culture  

Creating a robust culture of safety requires more than just a once-a-year survey. Hospital leaders, community pharmacy administrators, medical office administrators and ambulatory surgery center executives must show staff that their voices matter beyond survey season. 

• Listen actively: Acknowledge the feedback collected from SOPS® surveys and communicate how it will be used to improve patient safety. 

• Take action: Implement meaningful changes based on staff insights, demonstrating that leadership values their input. 

• Sustain engagement: Regularly discuss patient safety culture and provide updates on initiatives inspired by survey results. 
  
  

Build a culture of safety from the top down with DataGen 

Encouraging SOPS® survey participation starts with leadership. By setting the example, hospital executives, community pharmacy leaders, and medical office leaders create an environment where staff feel heard and valued. A strong patient safety culture is built on trust, action and ongoing commitment to improvement. Learn how DataGen’s Culture of Safety Insights™ helps leaders take action today. 

Resources to leverage before you go! 

Watch our entire “SOPS® Beyond Scores” playlist on YouTube, and make sure to like and subscribe to our DataGen Healthcare Insights channel for future updates and series. 

To ensure you didn’t miss anything, watch our previous video and corresponding blog on how to make an impact with the data you collected. Then, enjoy our next article on patient safety data collection. 

 See culture of safety in action: Watch the CSI solution video